MANILA, Philippines — The prosecution in Vice President Sara Duterte’s impeachment trial pointed to her recent tree-planting activity in Lanao del Norte as it questioned the necessity of confidential funds for such activities.
Private prosecutor Amando Virgil Ligutan raised the issue during his continued direct examination of Gina Acosta, Duterte’s former special disbursing officer, before the Senate impeachment court on Monday.
Ligutan presented a report showing Duterte taking part in a tree-planting activity at Masibay Integrated School in Nunungan, Lanao del Norte, on Aug. 13.
He asked Acosta whether the Office of the Vice President received confidential funds this year.
Acosta replied, “Wala po, Your Honor.”
Ligutan then noted that Duterte was nevertheless able to participate in a tree-planting activity despite the lack of confidential funding.
The line of questioning drew an objection from defense lawyer Lindon Bacquel, who argued that the activity occurred in 2026 and therefore fell outside the scope of the Articles of Impeachment.
“This is for 2026, Your Honor. The question pertains to an activity in 2026, which is not covered by the Articles of Impeachment,” Bacquel said.
Ligutan maintained that the activity was relevant because it demonstrated that Duterte could carry out tree-planting initiatives even without confidential funds.
Senate President and presiding officer Francis Escudero allowed Acosta to respond, pointing out that she had previously served as Duterte’s SDO.
Acosta, however, could not provide a definitive answer when Ligutan asked whether the activity showed that tree planting could be conducted without confidential funds.
“Hindi ko alam,” she said.
Acosta had earlier testified that some of Duterte’s confidential funds were used for tree-planting activities.
Duterte is accused of allegedly misusing confidential funds allocated to the Office of the Vice President and the Department of Education during her tenure as education secretary.
ia/xf
